Visible index



May 8, 1951 D. E. EVANS, sR 2,552,270

VISIBLE INDEX Filed July 13, 1948 z .Z Il

,Imm 5y I I 3 6' I 'I1 "'I V l' 9 /7 l ff d Z2 f5 1.9 ff ff J7 NE i ^22 t J9 f/ 2/ i f7 -fzz J j] Si Patented May 8, 1951 Q,.LUNIT ED STATE VISIBLE INDEX David E. Evans, Sr., Columbus, Ohio, assigner to Acme Visible Records, iInc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation o f Delaware Application July 13, 1948, Serial No. 38,536 5 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates to visible index and record equipment of the type embodying a frame having side flanges defining channels to receive the ends of individual index strips arranged in side-by-side engagement and bearing written or printedmatten as set forth in United States Patent No. 1,594,112 granted July 27, 1926 to Frankl D. Powell.

For graphically indicating progress in production or sales, stock on hand, etc., it is common practice to employ the use of transparent signals in the form of clips or sleeves for slidable movement along the individual strips. During movement of a signal along a strip, signals on adjacent strips are often accidentally displaced from their correct positions. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide spacing elements between adjacent index strips to prevent displacement of a signal on one strip during movement of a signal along an adjacent strip. As the side edges of the index strips are often left with a rough contour after their separation from a roll or sheet of index strips, the provision of smooth-surfaced spacing elements between adjacent strips permits free sliding movement of the signals with minimum frictional resistance.

This invention embodies other novel features, details of construction and arrangement' of parts which are hereinafter set forth in the specification and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevati-onal view showing a visible index frame with index strips, spacers and progressive signals mounted thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an index strip with a progressive signal mounted thereon.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a spacing element of circular cross-section.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of spacing element of tubular construction.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view illustrating the manner in which the strips are hingedly connected together in sheet form prior to separation into individual strips for mounting in the index frame.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of this invention, the visible index and record equipment is shown as comprising a frame 6 embodying a plate I 'provided vwith side flanges 8 8, the'side flanges being disposed in spaced relation along the side edges of the plate 'I to define passing channels or 9 9. The side flanges 8 8v may be provided along both faces of the plate 1, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawing, or on one face only, depending upon the style and type of record equipment desired. '1 Individual index strips II, of the type illustrated in Fig. 4, are usually formed of yresilient thin wood veneer I2 faced on one side with paper I3 of writing paper quality vcapable of -receiving typewriting or other imprinting, and faced on the other side with a backing of thin sheet material such as fabric or paper I4. The index strips II are manufactured and sold in sheet form, as illustrated at I 6 in Fig. 7 and more particularly described in United States Patent No. 1,594,112 in which the several strips are hingedly connected together by means of the backing sheet I4. The sheet I6 embodying the several strips II isadapted for insertion around the platen of a typewriter in typing data. upon the paper fac'- ings I3; after which, the strips II are severed from the sheet for mounting upon the index frame 6. In mounting the strips II upon the frame, they are flexed or bowed intermediate their ends and then inserted beneath the side anges 8 8. In assuming their normal straight shape, the ends of the strips I I are thus engaged within the recesses .fl-9 of the frame. Y

To graphically indicate progress of production, etc., progressive signals Il are slidably mounted for progressive step-by-step movement along the strips II, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 in the drawings. The signals I'I are preferably formed of transparent, resilient sheet material, such as plastic, to provide a front wall I8, rearwardly projecting side walls I9 I9 and inturned flanges 2I 2I. When the side edge of one strip II is disposed in contacting engagement against the side edge of an adjacent strip, it is apparent that movement of a signal Il along one strip will sometimes cause accidental displacement of a signal positioned on the adjacent strip.

To prevent accidental displacement of signals due to movement of signals on adjacent strips and to reduce frictional resistance during movement of signals, the present invention contemplates the provision of spacing elements 22 for insertion between adjacent strips. As illustrated in Fig. 5 in the drawing, the spacing elements 22 are preferably formed of circular cross-section and cut to length from rod stock, the length and diameter of the spacing elements being preferably substantially equal to the length and thickness of the index strips ll. Spacing elements are also preferably formed of a resilient material, such as plastic or metal, which permits flexing or bowing of the elements. In mounting the spacing elements in the frame 6, they are first bowed and then released to return to their normal straight shape to engage their ends within the channels or recesses 9-9 deiined by the flanges 8--8.

Fig. 6 in the drawing illustrates a modied form of spacing element 22a of tubular construction and preferably formed of resilient material, such as metal or plastic, It is contemplated that the element 22a may be cut from tubular stock and having a length and thickness substantially equal to the length and thickness of the index strips ll.

In the use of visible index and record equipment embodying the features of this invention, it will be apparent that the signals H may be progressively moved along their respective index strips Ii without engaging or causing accidental displacement of the signals mounted upon adjacent strips, due to the provision of spacing elements 22 between adjacent strips. It will 'further be noted that the cylindrical-shaped spacing elements 22 are in line contact engagement with the side walls l9--I9 of the signals I'I, whereby the signals may be' slidably positioned along their respective index strips H with minimum frictional resistance.

While this invention has been shown in but two forms, it is obvious to those: skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible of various changes and modificationsv without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention..

I claim as my invention:

i.. In visible index and record equipment, a

panel., a pair of flanges provided on said panel to'- define opposing trough-shape recesses, index strips mounted on said panel and having their 'ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses, lsignals mounted for sliclable movement along some of said index strips, and resilient spacing elements formed of rod stock disposed between some of said index strips and having their ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses to provide line contact engagement with said signals.

2. In visible index and record equipment, a panel, a pair of flanges provided on said panel to deiine opposing trough-'shape recesses, index strips mounted on said panel and having their ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses, signals mounted for slidable movement along some of said index strips, spacing elements disposed between some of said index strips and having their ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses, said spacing elements being of circular cross-@section to provide line contact engagement with said signals.

3. In visible index and record equipment, a panel, a pair of flanges provided on said panel to define opposing trough-shape recesses, index strips mounted on said panel and having their ends engaged Within said trough-shape recesses, signa-ls mounted for slid'able' movement along some of saidv index strips, resilient spacing elements disposed between some o'f said index strips and having their ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses', said Spacing elements being of circular cross-section to provide' line contact engagement with said signals.

4. In visible index and record equipment, a panel, a pair of flanges provided n said panel to` define opposing trough-shape' recesses, index stri-ps mounted on said panel and having their ends engaged within said trough-shape recesses, signals mounted for slidlable movement along some of said index strips, and spacing elements formed ot tubular' stock disposed between some4 of said index strips and having their ends engaged within said' trough-shape recesses to provide line contact engagement with said signals.

DAVID EVANS, sn.

REFERENCES- CITED- The followingv references are of record in the 

